Vincent Lecavalier was last a 40-goal scorer in 2008 and it may never happen again.

But his play right now is as close to that level as it’s been in years and it comes as a good time while the Lightning fight for position in the Eastern Conference.

“Vinny’s play from the start of the year until now is getting better and better,” Lightning GM Steve Yzerman told Sporting News. “He’s experienced, he’s in good shape, he’s working hard and that experience will pay off as the season winds down here and into the playoffs.”

In the 18 games since the All-Star break, Lecavalier has 10 goals and seven assists, with his production at nearly a point-per-game rate. He told the St. Petersburg Times that he’s playing his best hockey since the 2007-08 season in which he had 92 points.

The injuries are gone, the trade rumors are gone and the pressure to carry the Lightning’s scoring is gone too with the emergence of Steven Stamkos. Yzerman praised Lecavalier’s willingness to work hard and compete during games rather than just coast on skill.

Lightning coach Guy Boucher echoed that compliment.

“He’s controlling the play,” Boucher told the Times. “He’s shooting. He’s driving the net. He’s taking the pressure to the other team on every shift. He plays a grinding game, so his skills come out of that.”

Even with the recent success, Yzerman would like to see Lecavalier and the rest of his teammates find another gear as the playoffs close in.

“As we get closer to the end of the regular season the games are growing in importance for everybody,” Yzerman said. “For us to, not only make the playoffs, but try to stay up in the standings, make the playoffs and be successful, we have to get better and play better and we’re looking for our entire team to take it to another level.”